Celestins Spring

The Célestins spring is the most famous of Vichy's springs, and the only one that can be drunk by all, with no need for a doctor's prescription. Forty million bottles of Célestins spring water are sold each year worldwide, making this a globally exported brand. The water's temperature, between 20 and 22°C, ranks it among the coldest of the Vichy springs. Although no medical prescription is required for its consumption, it is still a spring water, naturally sparkling and rich in minerals, promoting hydration, digestion, and a radiant complexion. The park, which occupies part of the monastery's former enclosure, is laid out in the style of the Second Empire, with its steep paths. Originally, the Allier River reached the foot of the rock; over time, however, the build-up of alluvium deposits and the construction of the dam eventually enabled development of the land around the spring. The park's current appearance dates back to 1908, with the construction of a new drinking gallery, that gathers all the tapping points for springs drilled between 1857 and 1905. The architect Lucien Woog designed a vast hall with an elliptical ground plan in the 18th century French style. The arrangement of the spring itself, beneath its crystal and copper bell surrounded by pink marble, is the last remaining evidence of the Hall of Spring's original interior appearance in 1903.